Lakshmi Menon's Beauty Secrets

Once the runway lights have dimmed—and the triple coats of mascara have been wiped off—what keeps top Fashion Week model Lakshmi Menon so flawless?

• "I swear by Mon Soin du Visage," says the Bangalore model, who especially loves the French brand's Cold Oil Yuzu Cleanser. "It leaves my skin glowing."

• Menon's mother knows best: "She taught me to use organic coconut oil as a treatment. It makes my hair feel luxurious," Menon says.

• "There's nothing like kohl liner for strong and sexy eyes," says Menon, who uses Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx when off duty.

• "I've been swimming since I could walk," says Menon. Menon’s father introduced her to the pool at just one year old. Her favorite stroke? "Definitely freestyle."

• Menon's favorite runway beauty style always "leans toward a no-makeup look," which is why she loves when make-up artists matte her skin out.

Make-up Trend: Smoke & Sparkle (Vogue India)

This season saw the smokey eye transform into a whole new avatar. Out with the goth matte blacks and in with intense sparkly-smoky eye. “It's disco in a very, very modernized way”, says make-up artist Lucia Pica at Roksanda Ilincic. Whether it’s sexy and smudged at Gucci and Christian Lacroix or heavily charcoaled with metallic finish at Lanvin at Anupama Dayal, we just love this dazzling take on the classic smokey eye.  

Get the look: go from bland to glam with this intensely captivating look. Bottle greens, navy blues and deep charcoals are the key to this hot party look. Layer blue or green eye shadow over a matte black base. Sweep sparkling silver eye shadow in the inner corner of your eyes to finish the look. Alternatively, blend some emerald-green shimmer underneath like the models sported at Diane Von Furstenburg or do a full-on smokey with a deep burgundy shadow as seen on the catwalks of Roberto Cavalli. Make a shimmer stick your new BFF and use it on your lower lash line over your usual smoky eye for some heavy duty drama.

NYFW S/S 2011 Make-up Trends: Oscar de la Renta

"The clothes are so beautiful - classic Oscar," says make-up artist Gucci Westman. "We wanted the girls to be vibrant and happy and chose to highlight the face with rich green shades on the eye. The jewel-tones just pop and compliment the entire collection. It's a great way to lighten up the traditional smoky eye for spring."  The eye was actually called Venetian Blue and the Matte Eyeshadow was paired with the ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad in Silver Fox which hits stores in October.

Eyes
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara in Blackest Black 
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in Blackest Black
Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Black Velvet
Revlon Luxurious Color Perle Eyeshadow in Black Galaxy

Face
Revlon Cream Blush in Rosy Glow

Lips
Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Fashion's Night Pout

NYFW S/S 2011 Make-up Trends: Carolina Herrera

The inspiration was traditional Korean Costume, floral prints or photographs of flowers which lead us to create a brick coloured eye.

FACE

Studio Finish Concealer – applied where needed.  

Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder – to minimize shine in the T-zone.  

Pinch ‘O Peach Powder Blush – added to the apples of the cheeks, completely diffused out in a sunburst effect.

EYES  

Brick Lip Pencil – blended from the lashline to the crease of the eyelids, diffused out toward the outer corners of the eyes.  

Antiqued Eye Shadow – tapped on top of the diffused pencil to extend the shape of the eye in a horizontal direction.  

Diva Lipstick – added to the inner and outer crease of the eyelids for soft definition.  

Black Haute and Naughty Mascara – applied to heavily curled lashes.  

LIPS

Sugarrimmed Dazzleglass – applied with a 231 brush.  

NYFW S/S 2011 Make-up Trends: Ohne Titel

The star of the beauty look was a strong coral lip, which stood out brilliantly against a nude face. "The look is about an effortless chic but sporty girl. She's very athletic, but still feminine," Westman told StyleList. The Revlon makeup artist fell so in love with the color, that she brought it back from a previous palette for a new Fire & Ice collection launch this November. Some models were given naturally nude lips so as not to overwhelm the runway with coral lips.

Get the Look:
All makeup by Revlon. Add a soft glow to face with Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator, and apply just a touch of Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious to warm up the complexion. Brighten the eye area with shades from the Suede Rhapsody palette, and define arches with Brow Fantasy Pencil. Apply Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren, which will be available with the Fire & Ice collection this November.

NYFW S/S 2011 Make-up Trends: Prabal Gurung

“The collection is very rich and full on, all about the architecture of the clothes to the silhouette so the face is pure, soft but graphic — playing with textures in white.” — Tom Pecheux

FACE  

Select Moisture Cover Concealer – applied as needed.  

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural – lightly applied to even out the skin tone.

EYES  

MAC Pro Pure White Paintstick – blended on the eyelids as a base.  

Gesso Eye Shadow layered with Fascinating Eye Kohl – to create a “matte white lid”.

LIPS

MAC Pro Lip Erase in Dim – to make lips the same base color. 

Supremely Confident Sheen Supreme Lipstick – layered over lip erase to give a “true sensuality to the lips”.

Make-up Trend: Violet Lip Stain

On the latest issue of Elle India, Lakshmi Menon transformed into a beach goddess. Take the violet lip shade she sported on location for the cover. Makeup artist Clint Fernandes applies champagne and bronze shadows around the star's eyes and contoured her face with a pearlescent shimmer before adding the finishing touch. "I blended a violet stain on her cheeks and her lips," said Clint. The effect? A modern version of I'm wearing make-up, but not really.
 
Rec: Laura Mercier Sugar Violet Lip Stain

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Erin Wasson x RCVA]

MAKEUP: Charlotte Willer for Maybelline
HAIR: Kevin Ryan

This time around, it was "beautiful," but a little "crazy." Willer complied with a pretty, taupe smoky eye, edged out with two graphic details -- one bold, black eye brow (which Willer called a "crazy brow," and a slash of black liner beneath the lip. "We're lining the lips with eye liner, but just at the bottom," she explained.

Now, don't rule out the lip look completely. Lining beneath the lower lip "actually makes the lip lip look fuller," says Willer. OK, we're sold.

In the hair corner, stylist Kevin Ryan welded the crimping iron, but there were no 80s zigzags in sight. Instead, he left the top layer of hair alone, haphazardly crimping only the inner layers of hair. "It gives a little flicker of light as she moves" explains Ryan. "And it also gives your hair more volume. Sold again!

GET THE LOOK - MAKEUP: All makeup by Maybelline. Eye Studio Color Plush Eye Shadow in Taupe Temptress on the eyes, and Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner in Black on the brows and beneath the lips.

GET THE LOOK - HAIR: To make the crimps stick and give added volume, Ryan used By Byron Spirulina Hair Spray (which will be available via this link starting on Monday.)

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Lacoste]

The focus was on the eyes backstage at Lacoste's fall 2010 runway show. James Kaliardos, head make-up artist for Lacoste says, "The Lacoste show was a color explosion. Color blocking in cool separates to mix and match, the perfect pieces in luxurious fabrics. We wanted to do French Vogue in the late '70s/early '80s. Photographs by Sarah Moon and Jean-Paul Goude were my inspirations. Black encircled eyes rounded like a flapper from the 1920s with a nude mouth and healthy skin with a little color on the cheek. No sparkle."

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [VPL by Victoria Bartlett]

THE LOOK: To prep the model's face and help replenish dull, tired and traveled skin prior to makeup application, Clarisonic gave each model a rejuvenating facial with Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System. VPL is all about bright, youthful and refreshed skin and with hydrated skin, makeup application is smoother and inevitably that much more stunning.

"The inspiration for the look for the Fall 2010 show was really about going back to the 1990's. Very raw, yet feminine and fragile" explained lead makeup artist for the Sephora PRO team, Jose Rivera. Keeping the skin clean and natural, Rivera started with MAKEUP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation to give the skin a healthy glow and keep it pixel perfect. He then used Stila Convertible Color in Lillium pressed on with his thumb for a defined and sculpted cheek. For a sheer purpley-taupe wash, Rivera applied MAKEUP FOR EVER Eyeshadow in Metallic Taupe 127, for a timeless smoky eye effect. Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara is key in achieving lush and full lashes. The lips are sheer and glossy "so it looks good on everyone" with MAKEUP FOR EVER Glossy Full Couleur in Coral and Peachy Pink. This look is accentuating a more subtle and natural smoky eye while keeping the skin flawless for a timeless look you can wear anywhere, anytime.

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Diane Von Furstenberg]

 “The look was pulled from Studio 54, 70’s winged eye, sexy, iridescent – like a goddess” – James Kaliardos

Eyes:
M·A·C Pro Crème Liner in Black – applied to the eye area, eyelid to brow bone
M·A·C Pro Pigment in Corn Flower – brushed out from the inner eye corner on the upper lash line using a MAC 213 Brush
M·A·C Pro Pigment in Steel Blue – brushed out from the inner eye corner on the lower lash line using a MAC 213 Brush
M·A·C Pro Glitter in 3D Silver – layered over the pigment in the inner corner of the eye
Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack – copiously applied to the lash
Eye Kohl in Smolder – to line the lower inner rim of the eye

Skin:
Studio Sculpt Foundation – applied to the entire face, for natural yet flawless skin
Moisture Cover Concealer – applied where needed
Sculpting Powder in Sculpt and Shaping Powder in Lightsweep – lightly brushed along the cheekbones and temple area
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder – swept across the skin to set the foundation for matte face

Lip:
M·A·C Pro Lip Erase in Dim – applied to the lip

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Carolina Herrera]

Its Biba and Sarah Moon, late 70's opulent, dark purples and deep reds" -- Diane Kendal

Eyes:
Lip Pencil in Nightmoth - penciled and blended along the rim of the eye and the crease of the eyelid
M·A·C Pro Eye Shadow in Indian Ink - washed across the crease of the eyelid and around the upper and lower lash line
Eye Shadow in Vibrant Grape - layered onto the eyelid and crease of the eye
Mineralize Eye Shadow (Duo) in My Dark Magic (Available Fall 2010) - brushed onto the eyelid and into the crease of the eye
Zoom Mascara in Zoomblack - applied to top and bottom lashes

Skin:
Face and Body Mixing Medium - applied to the entire face
Blot Film - to blot any excess shine
Mineralize Foundation SPF15 - layered over the Mixing Medium
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder - lightly brushed over the skin to set the foundation

Lips:
Lipglass in Docile (Available Fall 2010) - applied to the lip

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Derek Lam]

Pecheux used two shades, a navy and a royal blue, on the lids, with metallic copper shadow along the lower lash lines and, to tie the look together, on the lips. "The navy eye creates a powerful look, but we are blending really well, so it's a continuous wash, versus a graphic shape," he said. The lips were spotted with lip color as a base, then brushed with the same copper shade used beneath the eyes. " When you do strong eyes, you need a lip that balances them," he said. " Using a lipstick in a tone that ties in to an aspect of the eyes will do that.""We're going for a textured, whispy, very ethereal look," said hair stylist Orlando Pita of the hair, as he spritzed tresses with light hairspray, and brushed it through the hair. "It's quite soft, we're layering with hairspray, letting it dry and then brushing it out. The effect on the runway will be soft and full of movement."
Nails just got a whisp of color, with a yet-to-be-named shade by Estée Lauder. "The eyes are so smoky, so we wanted a clean look on the nails," explained manicurist Jin Soon Choi. "So they are very sheer and natural."

GET THE LOOK - MAKEUP: All makeup by Estée Lauder. The eye makeup, which was used on both eyes and lips, are new for Fall 2010. Brush the royal blue shade from lash lines to brow bones, then apply the navy blue shade, arching from the inner corner of the eye up to the outer corners of the brows, blending well so there are no divisions between the two shades. Line lids with Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Midnight Blue, and top eyes off with Turbolash All Effects Motion Mascara in Black. Apply a light layer of Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Beige, with a dusting of copper shadow on top.

GET THE LOOK - HAIR: Blow dry hair, then spritz with Moroccanoil Hair Spray, let it dry, brush through with a paddle brush, and spritz and brush again (an again) until desired fly-away effect is achieved.

GET THE LOOK - NAILS: A new Estée Lauder shade of sheer, milky white with subtle sparkles. No name yet.

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Hussein Chalayan]

 

The beautiful, glossy, taupe eyes that Gucci Westman created in Paris at Hussein Chalayan looked striking against Lakshmi's skintone. She used a selection of the new collection she worked on with Revlon, which is set to launch around September time. Westman gave the models’ lips a cool wash of tone color to balance the transparent smoky eyes she was creating. The lipstick she used is Mink, which is a shade of nude cocoa brown.

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Jean Paul Gaultier]

The eye makeup at Jean Paul Gaultier was like a miniature work of art on the eyelids.The only eye shadow used was a smoky black one in the crease to give the look a grungy feeling. The eyelids were left bare.

A/W 2010-2011: Runway Beauty [Givenchy]

Hairstylist Luigi Murenu summed up the vibe Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci was going for: "This is definitely an edgy woman—she is not classic." Shades of red were echoed in the eyes, and of course, on the lips. The models sported simple "nude, nude" skin, said makeup artist Pat McGrath. McGrath and her team applied pencil on the eyelids, but skipped mascara. McGrath told us that Tisci had requested a sparkly red mouth—and McGrath delivered. On each model's lips: red lipstick, lip pencil, glitter, and gloss. "It's a decadent red lip," she said. "It's very beautiful, very strong." Murenu's inspiration for the easy, slightly tousled hair? A cool, modern Brigitte Bardot. After using John Freida Luxurious Volume Mousse, and a bit of hairspray, Murenu and his team raked each model's hair into a low, loose ponytail. "The texture is very dry, and slightly voluminous," Murenu said. "It's sexy, provocative," Murenu said of the overall look. "It's street style, but with the sophistication of a French woman."

Lakshmi Menon in Fall 2009's Make-up Trends [Jason Wu]

Gucci Westman, who did the makeup on behalf of Revlon, kept the models looking airy but strong. “I’m slightly lightening their skin with a lighter foundation and darkening the brows,” said Westman, who created matte cheeks and lips and strengthened brows with ColorStay Brow Enhancer. “There is a strength in the clothes, so we wanted the girls not to look so soft, but still ethereal.” Westman also used a violet lipstick she created especially for fashion week on cheeks for a delicate glow.

Lakshmi Menon in Fall 2009's Make-up Trends [Lacoste]

It was all about the eyelashes at the Lacoste show Saturday morning, where makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift used her namesake color cosmetics collection to create a "full" but not-too-glamorous look to the eyes.
After applying copious amounts of mascara, she then used a black kohl pencil to create a "circular eye."
"It's on the raw side," she said. "There's coverage, but it's not over the top."

Faces were "beautiful and glowing," she added, and on the inside the lips, she applied a stain to give depth to the mouth. "It has a Sixties feel. The clothes are a little ŒAnnie Hall,'" Swift continued, "so we wanted to do that but with a little more impact on the eye. This one we're really going for!"

Lakshmi Menon in Fall 2009's Make-up Trends [Alexander Wang]

"A little bit androgynous, a little bit masculine" is how makeup artist and Shiseido artistic director Dick Page described the look at Alexander Wang's show Saturday. "It's a bit sexy, but a bit tough as well," said Page, who achieved this by applying Makeup Stick Cream Foundation in a shade or two darker than the model's skin tone to contour the cheeks, before dusting the face with Translucent Loose Powder, for a "very matte finish."

Page skipped the mascara, but lined the eyes with Eyeliner Pencil in Deep Brown and applied Silky Eye Shadow in Granite Stone for a murky effect.

Lips were neutral and monochrome—painted with a blend of Eyeliner Pencil in Deep Brown and Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Spiced Cream.

Lakshmi Menon in Fall 2009's Make-up Trends [Diane Von Furstenburg]

“We’re doing a monochromatic, nomadic woman,” said M.A.C Cosmetics makeup artist James Kaliardos, who added that “Sudanese women” inspired the beauty look at Diane von Furstenberg Sunday afternoon.

“We’re shading the face with natural tones,” he said, “and there’s a round, light, smoky eye.” He applied a M.A.C Omega Eye Shadow hue to top and bottom eyelids to lend rounded definition to the eyes. On the cheeks, he went with a M.A.C Cream Colour Base in Pearl and brushed M.A.C Malt Eye Shadow onto the edges of the lips “to kind of finish off [the face].